live up to its name名副其實

把知道說到別人開口之前，等於宣佈這段關係裡沒有真正的對話。

I knew the story before he told me.

表示自己早已知情、對方坦白毫無意外時能用，對朋友說；正式場合別用，顯得自滿。

I had the whole story in advance. ／ He filled in nothing I did not know.

中性

knew the story 重讀，before he told me 放慢收尾。

I knew the news before she announced it. 她宣佈之前我就知道這個訊息了。

I knew the ending before he finished the story. 他故事還沒講完我就知道結局了。

把死亡最具物理感的一面當談資，問得像邀人冒險，越平靜越冷。

Have you ever heard a ... before?

用平靜語氣提起極不尋常或可怕的事時能用，對熟人制造寒意；安慰或正式場合別用。

Do you know what that sound is like? ／ Ever been in the room when it happens?

中性

ever 略重，death rattle 連讀，before 輕輕收尾。

Have you ever heard a fox scream at night before? 你以前在夜裡聽過狐狸的尖叫嗎？

Have you ever heard the house settle before? 你以前聽過房子在夜裡咯吱作響嗎？

把死亡聲音當成一場表演，問它夠不夠格，冷幽默到極致。

Do you think it'll live up to its name?

用近乎娛樂的期待衡量一件大事時能用，對朋友半開玩笑；嚴肅場合別用，越平靜越刺人。

Will it be everything the name promises? ／ Does it match the legend?

口語

live up to 連讀，its name 放慢收尾。

Do you think the sequel will live up to its name? 你覺得這部續集配得上它的名字嗎？

Do you think that place will live up to its hype? 你覺得那家店配得上這麼高的期待嗎？

用一個小異常當警報：兩個月不關的門突然關了，不解釋更發涼。

I'd been here for X and his door was never closed.

用一個長期不變的小細節突然改變來暗示不對時應時用，對朋友敘述；正式場合別用，太瑣碎。

Two months of the same routine, and today it broke. ／ The one habit I counted on had stopped.

中性

for two months 連讀，never closed 重讀收尾。

I'd been here for a year and her light was never off. 我在這兒一年了，她的燈從來沒滅過。

I'd been here for weeks and his desk was never empty. 我來了幾週，他的桌子從來沒空過。

把宿醉般的不真實說成一句否定，語氣平，卻滿是失控感。

I can hardly believe anything from ...

形容某段經歷荒誕到無法相信時能用，對朋友說；正式彙報場合別用，顯得情緒化。

Last night hardly seems real. ／ I still can't take last night in.

中性

hardly believe 連讀重讀，from last night 放慢收尾。

I can hardly believe anything from that trip. 那次旅行的事我幾乎都不敢信。

I can hardly believe anything from the weekend. 週末發生的事我幾乎不敢信。